Originally posted by Mick_2002
I always thought that bears had the right to bare their arms...

Met a black bear once in a upsate new york park. Pop's was there with his .38 (police issued). Don't think the .38 would do...knew I could outrun pops and his beer gut...so I was safe at home! Poor pops, too bad the bear just mosied along...guess he didn't see any picknet baskets...hey boo boo?
Had a simliar experience in Yosemite national park about 27 years ago. My brother and I were walking down a trail.
As we came around a large rock we came face to face with a brown bear. I put my arm to the side to stop my brother from walking into it and realised I didn't have to because he had already run about 20 yards away.
I stood there for a moment and then backed off slowly as the bear (about a 2 year old) walked slowly towards me with a look of curiosity on his face. Then I started moving a little faster.

I was close enough; I could have bonked him on the nose.